How much VRT on a BMW 4 Series?
Hi,
How much VRT would be payable on a 2015 BMW 430 M Sport Convertible? First reg. 5/6/2015.
Thanks
Lukas Broda (Dublin)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Lukas,
Is that a petrol 430i? If so, VRT should be in the region of €6,000-€7,000, but without more details, that’s just a pure finger-in-the-air calculation.
Should I stretch my car's legs regularly?
Thanks very much for your reply on fuel additives for a Skoda. In the normal event, it is probably the case that an engine doesn't get raced very often, and probably runs at fairly low revs most, if not all, of the time. Is there a benefit in running an engine, either petrol or diesel, from time to time at high revs and, if so, how often and for how long?
Your review of the Jaguar F-Type 2.0-litre was very interesting. I have one comment about the engine noise. There are times driving on a back road when it is a pleasure to hear an engine crackle and roar, but perhaps not always. I was driving along a long Spanish sea side resort behind an F-Type, where there were ramps and pedestrian crossings every couple of hundred yards. My thoughts were that one could quickly get tired of that roar every time the car started off again.
Perhaps, that's just me getting old and grumpy!
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2017 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
On the Jaguar front, first of all thanks for the compliment. As far as noise goes, I don’t think I’d ever tire of the F-Type’s V6 sounds, but that four-cylinder model is hugely impressive (and very refined) all the same.
As for running a car up and down its rev range, yes, it’s a good idea. Engines perform best (especially in fuel economy terms) when held at constant, low rpm (such as on a long motorway journey), but from a mechanical point of view it’s a good idea, once in a while, to stretch things out, warm things up, and get things moving.
How do I calculate VRT on a Countryman?
I'm looking at importing a MINI Countryman from the UK, but the revenue site doesnt even have that version under MINI, never mind the model. I'm asking if you know of a point of contact to get an approximation from before importing as I don't want to arrive at an NCT centre and get told that I owe something crazy.
Thanks
Pat, Slane
Pat Ryan (Ballina)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
The Countryman is in the Revenue VRT calculator, but it’s in an odd position. You have to select Cooper, One, or First, then pick Hatchback as the body style and then once you’ve selected the usual petrol or diesel, manual or auto functions, you should find the Countryman models in there.
How much to tax an imported MINI?
If I bring a 2004 MINI home, how much will road tax be for its 1.6-litre petrol engine?
John O Sullivan (Tralee)Aug 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
A pre-2008 car being imported means that it’s on the new CO2-based system. A 2004 MINI Cooper 1.6 has CO2 emissions of 163g/km so you’ll be paying €570 a year to tax it.
Worth using fuel additives in my Skoda?
Hi,
I have a 1.6 TDI Greenline 2012 Skoda Superb with 70k km up. An injector recently had to be replaced. I don't know why, possibly because the car is unused for a few months each year. Is there any benefit in using a fuel additive to prevent further damage and, if so, which?
I also have a 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged Mercedes-Benz C-Class (245hp) of much more recent vintage. Is there a benefit of using a fuel additive from early in a car's life? Is there any evidence that these products. work?
Many thanks,
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2017 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The short answer is that there are some benefits to using additives, but they’re not a miracle cure. Some additives, such as Redex, STP, or Dipetane, can apparently help to reduce the build-up of carbonised particles of soot and burned fuel on the insides of your engine, which can lead to improvements in reliability, fuel economy and emissions.
That said, there’s little here that’s scientifically proven. The benefits of additives tend to be more word-of-mouth than provable fact, but there’s certainly no harm in using them and if you notice a benefit, well that’s all to the good.
I would suggest that you’re better off sticking to a strict service regimen, using original parts and a qualified technical, than relying on additives though. And of course, as you already know, diesels need to be driven regularly to stay in good condition.
Hyundai i20, Opel Astra or Ford EcoSport?
At same lending cost... what to buy and why? Hyundai i20, Opel Astra or Ford EcoSport Titanium Plus?
Jitu Mehta (Rajkot.)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jitu,
Of those three, we’d go for the Astra every time. The i20 is fine, but a little dull. The EcoSport is an awful car so don’t go near it. The Astra, though, is well made, engaging to drive, roomy and economical. Go for the 1.0-litre turbo petrol and you won’t go wrong. Here are our reviews of each:
How does the Skoda Octavia 1.0 perform?
I have just ordered the Skoda Octavia Combi 1.0-litre petrol. How does the one-litre engine perform with a fully loaded car?
Mark Conway (Dublin)Jul 2017 Filed under: performance
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
While we haven’t loaded an Octavia 1.0 to its total maximum GVW capacity, we have driven it with four passengers and a boot full of luggage and it performs very well indeed. Not the fastest car around, no doubt, but we found no lack of performance and fuel economy remained at an impressive 50mpg.
Do I buy petrol or diesel in a new car?
I want to buy a new car but I am confused - do I buy petrol or diesel?
Taranpreet Singh (Jalandhar)Jul 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi there,
There's no completely easy answer I'm afraid, but the rule of thumb is that if you're doing low to medium mileage (below 20,000km a year) and drive in town a lot, go for petrol. If you're doing 20,000km+ and mostly on motorways diesel is still a good bet, but it's worth looking at the latest-tech hybrids too.
Is this 2014 Opel Astra too good to be true?
Thinking of buying a 2014 Opel Astra (1.4 petrol) for circa €7,000. NCT'd to 2019, but highish mileage at 177,000km. Too good to be true?
Patrick Trehy (Donaghmede)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Tough to call. It is the unloved engine, which will hurt resale, and the mileage is about twice the average, but even so €7,000 sounds frighteningly cheap. Does it have a full service history? Have you done a history check with Cartell.ie?
Which new seven-seat SUV for 2018?
Hi,
I currently drive a Land Rover Discovery Sport, five-seater diesel and I am thinking about changing in 2018. We would ideally like to stay in the SUV market, but our new car will need to have seven seats. The Discovery Sport does come as a seven-seater, but wondering what other options are out there for a total budget of €50k approx either in or out of the SUV bracket?
Thanks
Enda Daly (Galway)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
There's a growing number of options for seven-seat SUVs. The new Skoda Kodiaq is excellent and €50k would buy you one with a lot of toys. The Kia Sorento is also in that price bracket and is big, roomy and hugely comfortable. Ditto the Hyundai Santa Fe. Peugeot's incoming new 5008 is worth a look too. Here are our reviews of them all to help you out: